Daily Prayer Guide for Ethiopia Medical & Pastoral Team Mission 2007
Yabelo, Ethiopia - February 1st to 17th

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!! We will not have access to email or phones so I'll write more once we get back. Thank you all so much for your phone calls and notes! God bless!


Ethiopia!!

So many people have been asking questions about the trip--which is wonderful, thank you! It's now days away-which is so hard to believe! Until recently, the most inteligent thing I've been able to utter in response to most questions was "Mmmm, I'm not really sure". The fact that I've known so little, really hasn't bothered me-which is shocking to some of you, I know! :) I have this incredible peace; it goes beyond packing lists, medical supplies, politics and fears of getting sick. I know this trip is beyond anything I can conjure up in my mind so it's easy to just go with it...especially when you know so little!

Over the past couple weeks I've received frequent emails from Sam Molind, our team leader and the medical director for Global Health Outreach. The following is an email I received today from him. Please click on the link he provided and it will bring you to an article about where I am going. It was written in 2002--which sounds terribly out-dated but he tells us the climate of the region is very much the same. I will post again soon with the prayer guide he emailed us. Please pray. I've realized in preparation for this trip, that the very same fervor with which we pray about the details of this mission should be no greater and no less than the way we approach prayer in our daily lives. It's not about one mission trip; or acts of service; it's not about taking up a cause for a day or a week or a year. It's not about how loud you shout about the issues. In fact, it's not about us at all. We all have the same purpose and mission-whether we are waking up in the US or in Africa or anywhere else. Nothing of consequence in our daily living is possible without His Spirit.

Here's an excerpt from the email. Prayer guide to come soon!
love, megs

Ethiopia Team,
Here is a report from 2002 on the area where we will be serving in Ethiopia. It is still a forgotten and destitute area with needs that are of such a great magnitude that only the Lord can provide.
Yabelo, Africa-article

In the Yabelo Health Clinic some progress has been made now there is intermittent electricity and some running water and few more clinic workers. Love and compassion are something that they have not seen in this forgotten area - especially the love of Christ and so they may not respond to our efforts as we would expect. Often they can develop the mob mentality with a fear that they will not be seen and that this may be there only chance. And yet we may see some of the people carrying their family members or friends for care.

Editors note:

it seems I was mistaken. Last night, as we watched the Colts play, something happened to my husband. It started with some loud shouts of disgust during the first 1/2 of the game. He was not in a good mood. No love for wifey; not at all amused by her ploys to get his attention. And then it happened somewhere at the beginning of the second half. Kyle got the crazy eyes that I've seen in the men of my family while growing up. He was on his feet, he was yelling at the boys; he was cheering, pacing, complaining of 'tension in his neck and shoulders'.

And then, the heavens opened up, God smiled down--the Colts had it in the bag-they were officially super bowl bound! Kyle had been standing for the last 3 minutes of the game but then to my amusement, he started a victory dance I didn't know he had in him. There he was, shaking his rear end at the TV, clapping and carrying on like you wouldn't believe.

My heart swelled with pride.
The Roehrig clan's got nothing on him.

GO COLTS!!

So, I may not qualify as a die-hard football fan. Actually, I'm far from it. In all fairness, I do rank higher than many-especially with regards to the ladies out there but it's not really the football that gets me revved up. (which completely disqualifies me as a true fan, I know). I'm all about the food and mood. Today, I will pull on one of Kyle's big oversized colts sweatshirts. I'll grab the coziest blanket in the world and I'll curl up with husband & stinky on the couch. Kyle's made some chili in anticipation of the big game and we have wood to burn in the fireplace. mmmm. Doesn't get much better, does it? A friend or two may join us--and company is always something to smile about.

Now this is different then Packer games at Grandma's. There's not as much racket with everyone yelling and clapping (or, occasionally cussing) at the TV. The spread on the dinner table is not nearly as varied or as tantalizing to the tastebuds. And sadly, there are no big, thick white flakes falling from the sky-which is what is happening in my home town today. But, the mood of the night is delightful--just like it always was on game day in the frozen tundra.

I'll play the part of a football fan for the rest of my days. it's just that good.

“So, tell me why you’re here.”

Staring down at my feet, I tried my best to formulate an answer. I squirmed a bit in my seat knowing that he was waiting for my response. I felt swallowed up by the oversized chair I was sitting in. The office was dimly lit in an attempt to make it feel less threatening. Nonetheless, I felt like a child in the principal’s office. The room had the distinct, mildly nauseating air of a clinic. My mind was reeling and I felt my heart pounding in my chest.
‘Why am I here?

Generally speaking, I'm a 'glass half full' kind of girl. :) However, a number of months ago, the world felt terribly dark and I wanted to hibernate day and night under the covers. It was unfamiliar territory for me. I was sad but I didn’t know why. I dreamed, and talked, and wrote about freedom because it felt so terribly far away from my reality. Like a caged bird dreaming of open air, I longed to get out of the prison I found myself in. It was as if all of the painful parts of life were catching up—threatening to overtake the false sense of peace I created in my heart. And while the solitude of the covers felt safe, I hated being alone. I wondered on a daily basis if I would feel this way forever.

So, one day I found myself in that room, sitting on that slick, oversized chair, wishing I could be swallowed up. ‘why am I here?’ On day one, I simply followed orders. “Go see a counselor” occupied a single line on a script of things I ought to do in order to feel better. And so I went, dragging my feet-staring at the ground, feeling somewhat ashamed. But as it turns out, I was meant to be in that chair and every day I've returned since then, I’ve gone in pursuit of something greater.

I know many of you are very much aware that this has been part of our journey over the past few months. Not typically the type of thing one blogs about…right? The thing is, it’s been good. Not fun, not painless, but real...and real, is good. The door to that lonely cage has opened up and now I feel like I’m sitting on a threshold. Soon the time is coming where I will make a choice: leap or retreat. This girl wants to test her wings.

“Slow down Child. At this pace you will not be whole. Wholeness takes time with God, letting Him bind us up from the bruises and bumps of inevitable living.”

It’s amazing how we slap band aids on bleeding wounds and leave them unattended, to heal on their own. Eventually, the band aids aren’t enough. You can go to all of the counselors in the world, you can share your story with a handful of others, you can cry and make resolutions to do better or to be better but if you don’t get on your knees and let Him have your broken, sinful heart, you’ll always be a dreamer. Freedom will always elude you. Wholeness takes time with God. Period.

I’m thankful for that stiff, uncomfortable chair; for compassionate counselors and friends who pray. I’m thankful for medicine which promotes sleep and takes the edge off of my grumpiness. (cheers to that, right, Kyle?) But above all, I’m thankful for a God who meets us where we’re at and that He doesn’t allow any of the above, apart from Him, to take away the hurt.

Jane, Karen, and Lindsay

Rebecca, Tony, and John

Jim and Kyle


2007.


To bring in the New Year, Kyle and I spent the first part of the evening gathered together with some friends from church. Everyone brought a dish--and now our new friends are very much aware of my domestic challenges when it comes to cuisine. Fortunately, for them, no major flops but our relationships are just beginning so they've been warned...it's only a matter of time. :) It was fun to be together. Much like our community group, there's love all over these people. We ducked out early and headed to the house to have Ryan and Tara over. When the ball dropped we raised our bubbly and standing with the three of them, I was thankful, again, for the amazing people God has put in our lives.



One side note: Not to be left out of the festivities, my 12 pound always out of control dog, managed to scale the heights of our counter--pull a plate of shrimp down--and inhale 18 jumbo size shrimp with shrimp tails intact. I was sure we'd be visiting the local vet for a small bowel obstruction but once again, he survived. 2007 might be prove to be his last.

Since then, Kyle's been to Texas and back and somehow, the first couple weeks of the New Year have gotten away from us. Neither of us made any big resolutions...only because I've yet to keep just one. However, I want to be intentional about my days. I've forgotten so much of 2006 but I know our days and moments are not lost. One day we will be reminded.

Cheers!